Diplomats speculated the Iranians could have reduced the weight of the charge to increase its range.

Diplomats also speculated that it may have been a smaller missile fired from a ship.

Some diplomats and party officials speculate that the ballots may have been tampered with during the delay.

A Western diplomat speculated that the complaint might be an instance of the traditional jockeying seen before a summit meeting.

Diplomats speculated that the show of force might have been intended to appease security officials supposedly unhappy about the group release.

Several diplomats speculated that the Iraqi President may be more out of touch or under strain than outsiders thought.

Some diplomats had speculated that he might give up the position when he assumed the presidency as a gesture toward a true coalition government.

The government attributed the crash to a technical fault, but foreign diplomats speculate that the helicopter was shot down by a Blowpipe.

Other diplomats speculated that having made its point about the sovereignty of its territory, Iraq may yet move the missiles to avoid a military retaliation.

The reason for the pattern is not known, but Western diplomats here have speculated that the Serbs clear out certain areas for military purposes.